Lawyer Hiring Outlook for 2023: Opportunities Still Available, But Move Quickly

Lawyer Hiring in 2023: What to Expect

Hiring for lawyers in both in-house and law firm positions is not expected to be as high as in the past two years, but it should still be a good year, according to placement specialists in an Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) chapter webcast. The technology sector, in particular, was over-hired in the past two years and experienced layoffs in the last quarter of 2022. Randi Lewis of Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA) stated, "It was insane. A lot of over-hiring of anyone who had a transactional background. The market is correcting now." This indicates that job opportunities for lawyers in both in-house and law firm positions will be closer to normal, with jobs typically taking three to four months to fill.

"We advise our employer clients to move quickly when they find a candidate they like," said Edina Beasley of MLA. "We've had searches close in as little as a month and a half or two months."

The Impact of Technology Sector Layoffs on Lawyer Hiring

When it comes to placement outreach, it's important to understand that recruiters often work for the company or firm that is hiring, rather than the job seeker. Therefore, it would be unrealistic to expect them to shop around your resume for potential employers. However, recruiters encourage job seekers to reach out to them. Even though the response may just be a thank you with a promise to be in touch if an opportunity arises, it's still a good idea to make initial contact.

"I have candidates that reach out every three or six months just to stay on our radar," said Nancy Palermo of Garrison and Sisson. "This can increase your chances of being considered the next time we conduct a search that is a match for your qualifications."

Increasing Visibility to Recruiters: Tips for Job Seekers

To increase your visibility to recruiters, it is important to keep your LinkedIn profile updated, with detailed information about your current or most recent job included in the headline, which is the title of your profile.

Randi Lewis suggests that if your headline simply says "Associate General Counsel," it would be helpful to add your practice area and industry to it. If not, it should be included in your summary so that recruiters can find it. Recruiters often search by subject area and industry, so if your headline says, for example, "Associate General Counsel with a specialty in Intellectual Property in the Software Industry," you will be more likely to appear higher in search results.

Palermo suggests using keyword searches and including information such as your area of expertise, graduation year, and region in your resume to increase your chances of being found by potential employers. However, if you prefer to continue working remotely, finding a job may be more difficult as most employers, including law firms, are currently requiring in-office presence at least a few days a week. Recruiters have noted that filling positions that require in-person presence can take a significant amount of time and that candidates who are willing to work in the office have an advantage. New lawyers are advised to be flexible about working in-office most or all days of the week, as it allows for better networking and increases the chances of being considered for new opportunities.

Compensation for Lawyers in 2023: High, but Expect More Competition

Over the past two years, recruiters have reported that compensation for lawyers has been particularly high, and this trend is expected to continue, though at a slower pace. This has been particularly true for in-house lawyers who switched to law firms, with some earning salaries as high as $230,000. However, as the economy slows, the hiring environment is expected to become more competitive, and in-house departments may have an easier time competing with law firms for talent. Lawyers with sought-after skills and a strong online presence, as well as those who actively network and stay on top of mind with recruiters, should fare well in this environment. One recruiter noted that networking is a full-time job that requires constant effort and attention.

REFERENCE:
In-house job market to stay strong, recruiters say
https://www.legaldive.com/news/in-house-job-market-strong-major-lindsey-africa-robert-half-acc/640522/